Case Dismissed!

Did you read this morning’s paper about the Tinley Park mom who drove to a Crestwood shopping center on December 8, so that two of her kids and a friend could donate money to a Salvation Army kettle? She left her 2-year-old in her locked car only 30 feet away while the kids put the coins in the kettle. How far is 30 feet? Pace it off. That’s ten big steps for most people. Ten steps!

When she tried to return to her car, a Community Service Officer (CSOs are not police officers) blocked her way, and shortly after that she found herself in the back seat of a police car, handcuffed.

The case was dismissed today, when the Assistant State’s Attorney had to tell the judge that they couldn’t meet the burden of proof in the case. Poor ASA. She must have drawn the short straw or been late for a meeting. Or maybe she is a stand-up person and asked for the case. The ASA did the right thing. The case never should have ended up in court in the first place. Read about it at www.chicagotribune.com If you don’t make it today, search for “Treffly”.

Should the mom go after Crestwood, its PD and the CSO. Like, maybe, for false arrest? Should she go after the CSO for impersonating a police officer by restricting her freedom? For interfering with her passage to her car? What do you call it when one person interferes with the free movement of another person?

We’ll never know the whole story. The woman’s husband told her not to talk to anyone until he got there. That was excellent advice!

It is critical to remember that you have the right to remain silent and that anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. An excellent presentation of the Miranda Rights can be viewed at http://publicdefender.cjis20.org/miranda.htm